‘Non issue’ - Nicholson not worried about potential for racial abuse in Russia

Football agent Kevin Cowan says his client, Reggae Boy Shamar Nicholson, is not worried about being subjected to racial abuse after signing for Russian club Spartak Moscow.

Nicholson's transfer from Belgian side RSC Charleroi was announced on Tuesday and making him the latest Jamaican in Russia since former Reggae Boyz Errol Stevens, Damani Ralph, Robert Scarlett, and the late Luton Shelton.

Some Jamaican players, including Stevens, formerly of FC Khimki, have given personal accounts of racial abuse in Russia.

But Cowan says Nicholson is only focused doing well for Spartak.

"There is racism everywhere -- in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, England and the United States. So that's a non factor," Cowan told STAR Sports.

"Should black players not go to Italy because of racism? We cannot live our careers or our lives worrying about things we cannot control.

"The club came for the client and said, 'You are our guy'. So no, myself and Shamar are not concerned about any racism issue. That is a non issue for us," he said.

Cowan expects a quick period of adaptation for Nicholson, which he hopes will mean a quick positioning in Spartak's staring eleven.

Nicholson, who has 13 goals and five assists in 18 appearances for Charleroi this season, is expected join Spartak as soon as the January transfer window opens, and Cowan believes this is the right step for the player at this time.

"Ultimately, that is the long-term plan (to move on to a bigger league or club sooner or later)," he said. "But for the moment, we are not thinking that far. The next step is to join up with his new club in January and immediately go to work and show everyone why they chose him.

"It is a very good club. They will give him the opportunity to play in Europe and it gives him a higher profile than where he is at the moment."